when to run carbon?

[Onjinsan]

I am new to the hobby and sometimes read about "running carbon". Would someone take the time to explain the benefits and drawbacks of running carbon on your Saltwater aquarium.

My tank is quite small (30 gal) I have 30 lbs live rock and about 50 lbs of a mixture of aragonite and a small grain sand. Stocked with various xoanthids, hammer coral, sun coral polyp, open brain. 1 algae blenny, 2 true percs. 1 rock is loaded with various algaes (Ulva and chaeto). the tank is about 2 months old. I started the tank with RO from the grocery store but have recently bought an RO/DI unit.

Is it advisable to run carbon occasionally as a preventitive measure?

Thanks Onjinsan

[Crustman]

Run carbon when you get your tank stocked. Softies and mushrooms can put out toxins that damage other corals, especially SPS. Even Zoas produce potent toxins. A skimmer will take out some of these.

[Crustman]

Since you are a casino dealer, the odds are good that you will need it.

[gregod]

I run it constantly, just make sure you rinse it well.

[Reefski's]

24/7

[Michael]

as the 2 posters above rightly suggested, run it 24-7, i do and always have, just change it out 2 weeks or so, possibly up to 4 and start off with a half cup

[fitlerreef]

If you run carbon, most people will say to do so consistently rather than off and on. If you run the carbon off and on you can suddenly change the water clarity (among other parameters). For example, you can suddenly remove dissolved compounds, clearing the water and allowing greater light penetration through the water. This increased penetration can shock and bleach corals.

The same rational holds for keeping the carbon changed. If you change the carbon long after it's spent, the same effect will occur.

So... keep the carbon fresh and use consistent amounts. If you're starting carbon in an already established tank, start with a very small amount and work your way up.

[Onjinsan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14189104#post14189104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Crustman
Since you are a casino dealer, the odds are good that you will need it.

If you are talking "house odds" than it is a definate!

[devilsrule2004]

run it 24/7 def

http://boatersopenwater.com/signature.jpg

[coralcrazy2]

I run it 24/7 on all my tanks just to keep everything the same.Been doing it for years.

[Onjinsan]

Like I said, I am new. So please bear with me. Won't running carbon remove amphipods and coepods from the water? Also I thought my live rock and live sand were the filtering system?

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14205622#post14205622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Onjinsan
Like I said, I am new. So please bear with me. Won't running carbon remove amphipods and coepods from the water? Also I thought my live rock and live sand were the filtering system?

have a look at some links

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=375
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1
http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/wtprimer/carbon/sketcarb.html
http://www.carbochem.com/activatedcarbon101.html
http://www.hallman.org/filter/gac.html

[Guygettnby]

im with the rest of the crowd. i run carbon 24/7 always have and i always will unless something better comes out :lol:

[Onjinsan]

Micheal

Thanks for the links, the first and the last were the most helpful for me. Explaining "what carbon does" and possible drawbacks. Leads me to believe that I will use carbon.

I just purchased an RO/DI unit but have yet to change out the water currently in the tank. Prior to this I used RO water from the grocery store dispenser.